Built in 1854 by German immigrant Ignatz Bruch, the Bruch-Guertler House has stood at the base of the limestone bluffs in Alton, Illinois, for more than 170 years. After decades of decline and an uncertain future, the work of bringing it back to life is now well underway.
We’re documenting the process—the discoveries, the craftsmanship, the history and occasionally the surprises—as we bring this remarkable old house back to life.
A House Worth Saving
We’re Yvette and James Paris, and we have a passion for old buildings and the stories of the people who called them home. In January 2026, we took on the next chapter in the restoration of the Bruch-Guertler House, an 1854 home in Alton, Illinois, just north of St. Louis along the Mississippi River.
As we work to put the house back together, we’re also uncovering and sharing more than 170 years of its history. What started as our restoration project has quickly become something much bigger, with thousands of people following along and a community that has embraced this special little house right along with us.
Our Story
